Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543963
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 18 MARCH 2026 NEWS Standards czar time barred from investigating Mizzi claim on Roderick Galdes meddling THE Commissioner for Stand- ards in Public Life has declared he cannot investigate a com- plaint regarding former Minis- ter Roderick Galdes, citing legal time limits that have already ex- pired. In a decision dated 17 March 2026, Commissioner Joseph Azzopardi ruled while the al- legations involving govern- ment-controlled Malita Invest- ments plc were serious, the law prevents him from taking action on events that occurred more than a year ago. The complaint was filed on 25 November 2025 by Arnold Cas- sola, chairperson of the Momentum. Cassola's request for an investigation followed public claims made by former MEP Marlene Mizzi, who served as the chairperson of Malita In- vestments until May 2024. Mizzi alleged during her ten- ure, Galdes, then the Minister for Social and Affordable Ac- commodation, had "interfered" in the management of the com- pany and "meddled" with con- tracted third parties. She further claimed she was removed from her post shortly after a meeting where she ob- jected to the minister's conduct. The commissioner noted be- cause the alleged events took place in or before May 2024, the complaint arrived approximate- ly 18 months later. Under the Standards in Pub- lic Life Act, the commission- er is barred from investigating any complaint made more than 30 working days after the com- plainant becomes aware of the facts, and more than one year after the events themselves oc- curred. "The undersigned cannot con- sider a complaint if it is made after any one of these terms is exceeded," the commissioner stated in the decision. He clar- ified although Cassola filed the complaint as soon as the facts became public, the one-year ab- solute limit applies even if the facts remained hidden during that time. Commissioner Azzopardi used the ruling to reiterate his con- cerns regarding the "short pre- scription periods" imposed by the law. He pointed out the incon- sistency in Maltese law, where prescription has been abolished for political corruption crimes, which carry prison sentences, yet remains strictly applied to ethics breaches. The decision highlighted a 2023 recommendation from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to extend these time- frames. Azzopardi noted that the original 2014 draft of the bill proposed a more "reasonable" two-year limit from the point of discovery, with no absolute limit on when the facts occurred. The current restrictive terms were introduced during parlia- mentary committee stages in 2017 with unanimous agree- ment from both sides of the House. Galdes resigned from his min- isterial position on 24 January 2026, but remains a member of parliament. Because the investigation was declined, the commissioner not- ed the document would not be formally published by his office, in accordance with standing parliamentary procedures. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Former Labour MEP and Malita Investments chair Marlene Mizzi had said she considers it 'an honour' to have been removed by Housing Minister Roderick Galdes (inset) Manoel Island campaigners satisfied with island's return to public MANOEL Island campaigners have welcomed the news of a deal that transfers Manoel Island and Fort Tigne back to public owner- ship. On Monday evening, Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed that MIDI accepted a €43 million offer to transfer the lands back to the government. Reacting to the news, activists commended the government and MIDI for negotiating the matter swiftly and diplomatically. "The campaign remains active in pursuing its goals of seeing Manoel Island transformed into a public park that celebrates and integrates natural and historical assets and community needs," the statement reads. Last year, activists petitioned the government to turn the island into a national park. Initial plans envisaged a mixed-use develop- ment of residential, touristic and commercial centres. The petition collected over 29,000 signatures in 2025, calling for the island to be turned into a natural heritage park. Campaign- ers worked with residents, NGOs and experts to reimagine what the park could look like. Activists also said they were sat- isfied that the Planning Authori- ty halted illegal works on a set of padel courts on the former Gżira FC football pitch area following concerns raised by the public. The campaigners said they were adamant that the works should be reversed so the land can be used as part of a masterplan for the national park. Campaigners say they were satisfied with the government's announcement, calling it 'a testament to the power of the people' Photo: Moviment Graffitti EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt